AN ousted North-East council leader has been presented with one of Germany's top honours.

Brian Stephens, who lost his seat on Sedgefield Borough Council at the recent elections, has been awarded the Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany.

At a ceremony in the German Embassy this week, Mr Stephens was presented with the award by Ambassador Thomas Matussek.

The Ambassador said the award, the German equivalent of the OBE, was in recognition of Mr Stephens' 30-year dedication to the twinning of Sedgefield and Duisberg-Rheinhausen.

Ambassador Matussek said: "A twinning link isn't created by contracts and agreements.

"It thrives when people on each side really want to get to know each other and invest time and effort in forming ties in all walks of life."

As leader of the council from 1986, Mr Stephens strengthened the link between the two communities and has been a driving force behind the twinning.

In 2000, he organised the visit of more than 200 people from Rheinhausen to participate in Sedgefield's Millennium celebrations.

A spokesman for the German Embassy in London said: "Through this and other exchanges, Brian Stephens has given participants on both sides a unique insight and understanding into the other's way of life."